Dynamic Balance as Measured by the Y-Balance
Test Is Reduced in Individuals with Low Back Pain: A Cross-Sectional
Comparative Study
Test Is Reduced in Individuals with Low Back Pain: A Cross-Sectional
Comparative Study
Hooper, Troy L., C. Roger James, Jean-Michel Brismée, Toby J.
Rogers, Kerry K. Gilbert, Kevin L. Browne, and Phillip S. Sizer. Physical
Therapy in Sport. 2016 22:.29–34. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2016.04.006
Rogers, Kerry K. Gilbert, Kevin L. Browne, and Phillip S. Sizer. Physical
Therapy in Sport. 2016 22:.29–34. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2016.04.006
Take Home Message: Patients who suffer
from current or previous symptoms of lower back pain demonstrated lower reach
distances in the posterior directions of the Y-Balance Test compared to healthy
individuals.
from current or previous symptoms of lower back pain demonstrated lower reach
distances in the posterior directions of the Y-Balance Test compared to healthy
individuals.
Many patients
suffering from low back pain (LBP) have postural control deficits, and patients
who suffer from one episode of LBP are also more likely to suffer recurrent
episodes. However, little is known if there are postural control deficits in patients
who are in remission from LBP. Therefore, Hooper et al evaluated 42 participants
(separated into 3, 14 patient groups; 8 males and 6 females per group) to compare
patients with current LBP, those with a history of LBP, and healthy controls to
their performance on the Y-Balance Test to establish relationships between Y-Balance Test performance,
demographic, behavior, and disability measures. Each participant completed the
Y-Balance Test by standing on their dominate leg with toes on the marked line,
and hands on hips. Then, the patients completed the Y-Balance test by reaching as
far as they could in 3 randomized directions (Anterior, Posteromedial, Posterolateral).
The researchers found no difference between the 3 groups and their performance
in the anterior direction of Y-Balance Test. However, participants with a
history or current LBP displayed lower reach distances compared to the healthy
control group in Posteromedial and Posterolateral directions of Y-Balance Test.
suffering from low back pain (LBP) have postural control deficits, and patients
who suffer from one episode of LBP are also more likely to suffer recurrent
episodes. However, little is known if there are postural control deficits in patients
who are in remission from LBP. Therefore, Hooper et al evaluated 42 participants
(separated into 3, 14 patient groups; 8 males and 6 females per group) to compare
patients with current LBP, those with a history of LBP, and healthy controls to
their performance on the Y-Balance Test to establish relationships between Y-Balance Test performance,
demographic, behavior, and disability measures. Each participant completed the
Y-Balance Test by standing on their dominate leg with toes on the marked line,
and hands on hips. Then, the patients completed the Y-Balance test by reaching as
far as they could in 3 randomized directions (Anterior, Posteromedial, Posterolateral).
The researchers found no difference between the 3 groups and their performance
in the anterior direction of Y-Balance Test. However, participants with a
history or current LBP displayed lower reach distances compared to the healthy
control group in Posteromedial and Posterolateral directions of Y-Balance Test.
This was an
interesting study because it demonstrated balance deficits using the Y-Balance
Test in patients who are currently or have previously suffered with LBP
compared to healthy participants. However, there were no reach distance
differences found in anterior reach direction of the Y-Balance Test between
groups. It is likely that patients with current or a history of LBP patients
were relying on their vision to maintain balance during the anterior reach;
therefore, they were not visually compromised as they were in the posterior
directions. The authors present valuable insights regarding balance deficits in
patients with LBP using an easy and affordable clinical tool to implement.
These findings suggest that clinicians should assess balance deficits within
patients either currently or those with a history suffering from lower back
pain so that appropriate balance training strategies can be incorporated in the
rehabilitation of lower back pain patients.
interesting study because it demonstrated balance deficits using the Y-Balance
Test in patients who are currently or have previously suffered with LBP
compared to healthy participants. However, there were no reach distance
differences found in anterior reach direction of the Y-Balance Test between
groups. It is likely that patients with current or a history of LBP patients
were relying on their vision to maintain balance during the anterior reach;
therefore, they were not visually compromised as they were in the posterior
directions. The authors present valuable insights regarding balance deficits in
patients with LBP using an easy and affordable clinical tool to implement.
These findings suggest that clinicians should assess balance deficits within
patients either currently or those with a history suffering from lower back
pain so that appropriate balance training strategies can be incorporated in the
rehabilitation of lower back pain patients.
Questions for Discussion: What kind of
balance training protocol would suggest for the patients who are in remission
and are pain free but have history of low back pain? Do you think those that
have previously suffered LBP lost range of motion and proprioception?
balance training protocol would suggest for the patients who are in remission
and are pain free but have history of low back pain? Do you think those that
have previously suffered LBP lost range of motion and proprioception?
Written by: Abbis Haider Jaffri
Reviewed by: Jane McDevitt
Related Posts:
Hooper, T., James, C., Brismée, J., Rogers, T., Gilbert, K., Browne, K., & Sizer, P. (2016). Dynamic balance as measured by the Y-Balance Test is reduced in individuals with low back pain: A cross-sectional comparative study Physical Therapy in Sport, 22, 29-34 DOI: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2016.04.006